The build-up to this game was dominated by Rafa Benitez, and his curious pre-match press conference. The Spaniard answering every question put to him with “as always I am focused on training and coaching the team” – a dig at Reds’ co-owner Tom Hicks.

The game, though, would be much more straightforward. Gerrard set Liverpool on their way with a quite sensational free-kick, drilled past Shay Given from 35 yards. Lucas Leiva’s lay-off was poor, but Gerrard reacted like he’d seen a pram rolling towards a railway line, and then thumped the ball into the top corner. As you do.

WATCH: Gerrard's free-kick against Newcastle

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83. v FC Porto, Anfield, 28/11/07, Won 4-1, made it 3-1, ‘82

Needing a win to keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive, Liverpool delivered. Fernando Torres had scored twice, but nerves were jangling with time ticking away. That was until Milan Stepanov handled in the area, and Gerrard beat Helton with ease. Peter Crouch added a fourth before the game was out.

Gerrard had already created goals for Fernando Torres and Sami Hyypia as Liverpool buried Bolton at Anfield. His own turn would come. Peter Crouch was brought down and Gerrard coolly slotted home from the spot to give the Reds a three-goal cushion.

Liverpool suffered their first defeat of the season at the Madejski. Stephen Hunt opened the scoring only for Gerrard to peg back the home side, receiving the ball from Torres to slide in from ten yards just after the half hour mark. But Kevin Doyle and James Harper added second and third goals to complete a suprise win for Steve Coppell’s side.

Marseilles 0 LFC 4, 2007: Steven Gerrard gets the Reds off to a perfect by converting the rebound from his own penalty after only two minutes

The Reds were anticipating a tough test on a freezing night at the Stade Velodrome, but an early burst changed all that. Gerrard was at the centre, winning a fourth-minute penalty after a challenge from Gael Givet. Steve Mandanda saved his penalty, but the Reds skipper was on hand to bury the rebound. Liverpool went on to win 4-0.

A last-gasp Gerrard strike spared Liverpool as they faced a physical Derby side at Pride Park. Fernando Torres’ fantastic goal gave Liverpool the lead after 10 minutes before Jay McEveley equalised just after the hour mark. It looked as if Liverpool were destined for a point until a late Torres strike was palmed away and McEveley could only clear to Gerrard, who prodded in the winner to save Liverpool’s blushes and secure all three points.

On a night when Jamie Carragher celebrated his 500th Reds appearance, it would be Gerrard who would steal the show. Liverpool led through Ryan Babel’s strike on the stroke of half-time; Gerrard would take the game away from the League Two side after the break. Peter Crouch created his first, nodding down for his captain to head into the corner from eight yards.

Another European night, another decisive Gerrard contribution. Struggling to break down the massed ranks of the Italians’ defence after the early dismissal of Marco Materazzi, the Reds finally broke through five minutes from time through Dirk Kuyt.

Gerrard wasn’t settling for that. He picked up the ball on the edge of the Inter box, shifted it to one side and slammed it into the bottom corner to give Liverpool a two-goal cushion. They would not relinquish it.

Fernando Torres baked the cake, Steven Gerrard iced it. Torres grabbed a typically clinical hat-trick to destroy a poor Hammers side, with Gerrard adding the piece de resistence late on, driving at the retreating defence and slamming an effort inside Robert Green’s near post from the edge of the area.

With Gerrard and Torres in fine form, Newcastle were brushed aside. The duo had already combined to devastating effect in the first half, Gerrard’s beautifully-weighted pass giving Torres Liverpool’s second goal. The Spaniard returned the favour after half-time, sliding the ball through for Gerrard to clip beyond Steve Harper.

Steven Gerrard converts a penalty in the Champions League quarter-final

An hour it took for Gerrard to break through the massed ranks of the Blackburn defence. When he did, it was with typical drive and energy. Playing a one-two with Lucas on the edge of the area, he dashed between two tentative challenges to slide casually under Brad Friedel.

It took every ounce of Liverpool’s fighting spirit to ensure they opened their Anfield campaign with a win. They trailed to Mido’s strike, but Jamie Carragher hit a shot that was deflected in via Emmanuel Pogatetz to level late on. And when Xabi Alonso swung in a cross that struck Robbie Keane and fell to Gerrard, the game was up. The skipper buried a first-time effort into the top corner from 18 yards as if it were the most natural thing in the world. In a way, it was.

Masterful, simply masterful. Lorik Cana had given Marseille an early lead in this Champions League group stage match, but Gerrard would have the Reds in front by half-time. His first was a goal of stunning technique. Dirk Kuyt’s pass was behind him, but he adjusted beautifully to whip a first-time effort back across goal from 20 yards, the ball looping up over Steve Mandanda and into the far corner.

To bring up the century, what better way than a trademark piledriver, at the Kop End?

On a day that marked Robbie Keane’s first Liverpool goal, Gerrard’s set the standard. Though PSV’s wall, in truth, did little to prevent it, his 25-yard strike was pure, and fizzed past Andreas Isaksson. It was Liverpool’s 100th Champions League goal, in Rafa Benitez’s 250th game as Reds boss.